C.—2

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Government Certificates. —At the examination for Govrenmeut certificates under the Coal-mines Act five candidates sat, W. Crowe securing a partial first-class pass, whilst P. Morganti and W. H. Hewitson secured second-class passes. In the underviewers' and deputies' examination three candidates sat for the former and two for the latter examination. The results of these examinations are not yet to hand. The Hailwood gas-testing apparatus has proved a boon to both miners and officials alike, no less than eighty of them having used it in order to learn gas-testing. Seventy-one candidates in gas-testing secured certificates. Assay Laboratory. —During the year thirty-four samples of ores and mineral were assayed and reported on, the majority of the samples being quartzose ores. Library and Museum. —The Mines and Geological Departments still continue to send pamphlets of mining literature and geological bulletins, which are greatly appreciated, and for which thanks is tendered. In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to the members of the Council for the deep interest taken in the welfare of the school. I have, &c, H. Lovell, Director.

Mr. J. H. Williamson, Director of the Reefton School of Mines, to the Under-Secretary of Mines, Wellington. Sir,— Reefton, 19th April, 1916. I have the honour to present my report on the work of the Reefton School of Mines for the year ending 31 st December, 1915. Attendance, Reefton : The average attendance for the year at Reefton was fifteen students. Waiuta Branch : Attendance at this branch averaged ten students. Greymouth Branch : During the year a branch was opened in Greymouth for coal-mining students. The attendance averaged twenty students. Gas-testing. — Gas-testing demonstrations and examinations were held monthly at Greymouth during the year, seventy-three students receiving certificates of competency in the detection of explosive gases in coal-mines. Examinations. —At the examinations for Government certificates held in December last, two students received certificates as first-class mine-managers, while one obtained a battery superintendent's certificate. Assays. —During the year 123 assays were made for the general public, mainly for gold and scheelite, while forty determinations were made with regard to the commercial value of the samples. I have, &c. J. H. Williamson.